Liquid dispensing applicator insert



July 23, 1968 NADA] 3,393,963

LIQUID DISPENSING APPLICATOR INSERT Filed Feb. 7, 1966 INVENTOR: FJ 4'ALEXANDER NADN,

HIS ATTOENEX United States Patent masses LIQUID DHSPENSING APPLICATORINSERT Alexander Nadai, 3215 Arlington Ave, Bronx, N.Y. 10463 Filed Feb.7, 1966, Ser. No. 525,709 Claims. (Cl. 401207) ABSTRACT OF THEDISCLGSURE An applicator insertfor a container has several superposedelements, all arranged to pass liquid from the container, and differfrom each other in the number of holes per area unit, and a screenstretched over the outermost element compressing it thereby.

The present invention relates to improvements of liquid dispensingapplicator inserts suitable to close the opening of a container orbottle containing a liquid to be applied and, upon the application ofpressure, permitting the liquid to seep through the applicator to theoutside and onto the surface to be treated.

The invention relates more particularly to improvements of applicatorsof the type disclosed in my Patents Nos. 2,853,727 and 2,853,728.

The applicators to which the invention relates have a structural bodymember adapted to be pushed into the opening of the neck of a containeror slipped thereover for closing the opening. The body member has anaperture and clamping means for holding porous flexible dispenser meansacting as a sponge adjacent said aperture and contacting the surface tobe treated when the applicator is in use.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a structure of thegeneral type set forth above, parts of which are resilient thoughsufficiently rigid to spring back to the normal shape after use, anddurable even under very trying operating conditions.

It is a further object of the invention to provide an applicator of thetype generally set forth above wherein the means contacting the surfaceto be treated is so constructed as to provide a minimum of slidingresistance and a maximum resistance to wear and to afford convenientrubbing of the liquid onto the surface to be treated.

Another object of the invention resides in the provision of anapplicator of the type generally described above wherein said meanscontacting the surface to be treated includes means for initiallycompressing the porous means and reducing the size of the pores thereof.

A further object of the invention is the provision of an applicatorgenerally set forth above wherein said means contacting the surface tobe treated includes means acting as a filter.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention said means contacting thesurface to be treated forms a membranelike element over the outside ofwhich a nylon weave is stretched which contacts the surface to betreated when the applicator is in use.

It is yet another object of the invention to provide an applicator ofthe type described which lays down on the skin to which it is applied afilm that is so thin that it dries instantly.

With the above and other objects of the invention in view, the inventionconsists in the novel construction, arrangement and combination ofvarious devices, elements and parts, as set forth in the claims hereof,certain embodiments of the same being illustrated in the accompanyingdrawings and described in the specification.

Patents Nos. 2,853,727 and 2,853,728 disclose dispenserapplicatorshaving flexible porous means made of syn- 3,393,963 Patented July 23,1968 thetic material known commercially under the trade name Neoprene.This material is not inert with respect to certain chemicals containedin liquids for the application of which the applicator is used, forexample body deodorants. Foam made of neoprene, when in contact withcommercial body deodorants, sometimes develops an undesired odor. Noobjectionable reactions have been observed when using materials knowncommercially under the trade names polyether and polyester. The pores ofplastic foam made of polyether or polyester are of a size which issuitable for an insert element acting as a sponge inside the applicatorand in direct contact with the liquid in the container closed by theapplicator. The pores, however, may be too large if plastic foam made ofpolyether or polyester is used for a part of the porous flexibledispenser means which receives the liquid from said insert element andconveys the liquid to the outside and to the surface to be treated. Inthe applicator according to the present invention means are provided forinitially compressing said part and thereby reducing the pore sizethereof. In this way this part serves as a filter which permits only acontrolled and limited rate of fllow of liquid to the outside.

The applicators disclosed in the aforesaid patents have sometimes beenfound to be too soft and too yielding to produce the desired limitedwetting effect. The applicators according to the present inventionovercome this deficiency of known applicators by providing adiaphragmlike reinforcement which resists the pressure exerted by theperson using the applicator on the porous means contacting the surfaceto be treated and prevents excessive movement of the porous and flexibleelements of the applicator. This reinforcement is preferably made ofmaterials known commercially under the trade names polyethylene,polypropylene and vinyl. A diaphragm made of these materials can be benta great number of times without cracking. The aforesaid materials do notchemically react with the liquids for which the applicators are used,for example body deodorants.

The use of foam, particularly as pointed out below in one of themodifications of two foams of different porosity, offers the advantageof providing the desideratum of large capillary action for easy flow ofthe liquid applied, while counteracting the attendant disadvantage ofexcess flow by means of compressing the foam thereby reducing at willthe size of the foam cells releasably.

The novel features which are considered characteristic of the inventionare set forth with particularity in the appended claims. The inventionitself, however, and addi tional objects and advantages thereof willbest be understood from the following description of embodiments thereofwhen read in connection with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a vertical section through a portion of a bottle containing anapplicator insert according to the invention, the bottle being shown ininverted position;

FIG. 2 is an elevational view of the upper portion of a bottlecontaining the applicator and having a closure cap attached thereto, theclosure cap being shown in section;

FIG. 3 is a longitudinal sectional view of a modified applicatoraccording to the invention;

FIG. 4 is a longitudinal sectional view of a further modification of anapplicator according to the invention; and

FIG. 5 is a longitudinal sectional view of another modification of anapplicator according to the invention.

Referring more particularly to FIGS. 1 and 2 of the drawing, the numeral1 designates a body member having a depending portion 2 tightly fittingthe neck of a bottle or container 20 for the liquid 21 to be: applied.The body member 1 has an inner holding or clamping means 3 retaining aninlay 4 which rests on top of a transverse wall 5 of the member 1closing the top of the portion 2. The inlay 4 is preferably made ofplastic foam, for example, of polyether or polyester. Neoprene is notdesirable because of its chemical incompatibility, for example, withdeodorant which may be dispensed through the applicator. The wall 5 hasan aperture 5 through which liquid flows by capillary action and/orpumping into the pores of the inlay 4. The clamping means 3 is formed ofan annular rib and provides an air-tight and liquid-tight seal aroundthe circumference of the disc or inlay 4.

The member 1 has an outer holding or clamping means 6 acting on themarginal portion of means contacting the surface to be treated. The lastmentioned means comprise a membrane element 7 preferably made of plasticfoam, for example, of polyether or polyester and resting on a relativelystiff though resiliently yielding reinforcing diaphragm member or dome 8provided with perforations 9 and preferably made of polyethylene,polypropylene or vinyl. Over the outside of the element 7 a screen itfor example made of a nylon weave is stretched for pressing the element7 against the dome 8 and initially compressing the element 7. The screen10 protects the plastic foam element 7 against abrasion, acts as afilter and reduces the size of the pores of the plastic foam element 7so that, when the applicator is at rest, no or very little liquidescapes therethrough.

The diaphragm 8 is rigid enough for normally pressing the membrane 7outwardly, though weak enough to yield resiliently when the applicatoris manually applied to the skin; so that there can take place a pumpingaction by the membrane 7 relative to the inlay 4, to force the liquid 21out of the container 20 and through the inlay 4, the diaphragm 8, themembrane 7 and the screen 10 onto the skin to which the applicator isbeing applied. The rigid diaphragm-like dome 8 permits enough movementof the membrane element 7 to promote the dispensing action of theapplicator, and yet prevents excessive inward movement.

The clamping means 6 is formed by an annular flange and forms a sealaround the circumference of the disc or membrane 7. The annular marginalportions of the diaphragm-like element 8, of the screen 10, and of theplastic foam therebetween are all grasped by the clamping means 6 andswaged into an annular space formed between the clamping means 3 and 6.The insert body 1 is thus sealed against leakage of the liquidtherethrough with the exception of the controlled liquid which willpenetrate the porous bodies of the inlay or disc 4 and of the membraneor disc 7 for selective application of liquid to the surface to betreated.

The element 8 has a convex or dome-like configuration and causes themembrane-like element 7 to assume a convex shape, providing an air space22 between the diaphragm s and the upper surface of the inlay 4.

The bottle 20 has a threaded neck 23 and is intended to hold a quantityof liquid 21 to be dispensed, for example a liquid deodorant, Cologne,shaving lotion, or the like. The depending tubular portion 2 of theinsert body 1 is sized to be press-fit within the neck of the bottle 20,a projecting shoulder 24 overlying the mouth of the bottle. The lowerend portion of the depending tubular insert portion 2 is molded with adownwardly-decreasing diameter and is made of lesser thickness than theremainder of the insert body so as to have an increased flexibility.This shaping and dimensioning of the lower portion facilitates the readyinsertion of the tubular insert portion 2 within the bottle neck. Theremainder of the tubular insert portion 2 has a suflicient diameter tofit tightly within the bottle neck, once inserted so that it may be onlyforcibly removed.

In the use of the applicator, the bottle 20 is initially tilted and theouter porous disc or membrane 7 pressed against the surface to which theliquid is to be applied. Such pressure of the membrane 7 against thesurface causes the flexible membrane 7 and the diaphragm 8 to bendinwardly until the latter is pressed against the inlay 4. Liquid isthereby squeezed from the latter, which liquid is absorbed in, andpasses through the disc 7 to the outer surface thereof, from whence itis applied to the surface to be treated. As the outer disc or membrane 7is pressed against the surface, it is also drawn along the surface in arubbing or wiping stroke, so that the liquid transferred to the membrane7 is distributed in a fine film or layer.

In application of the liquid, the bottle 20 is normally held in aninclined or inverted position so that the liquid 21 therein is incontact with the transverse wall 5 and its opening 5'. In applying thewiping application strokes to the surface, the outer disc or membrane 7alternately compresses the inner disc or membrane 4 and returns to itsposition spaced from the inlay 4, performing a pumping action, anddrawing liquid through the opening 5 to maintain the inner disc or inlay4 in a saturated or partially saturated condition. The liquid is thusdistributed in an extremely controlled manner, since no more liquid canpass through the outer disc or membrane 7 than can be absorbed and heldby the saturated inner disc or inlay 4.

The bottle 20 is provided with a closure cap 25, shown in FIG. 2, havinginternal threading 26 for attachment to the externally threaded bottleneck 23. The inner surface of the cap top wall is provided with acentral concavity 27 bordered by a shoulder 28. When the cap 25 isscrewed to its mounted position, the outer disc or membrane 7 and itscovering 10 are contained within the concavity 27, while the shoulder 28makes firm contact with the top surface of the insert forming theclamping means 6 and thereby provides an air-tight seal around themembrane 7. After use, the applicator may thus be tightly sealed byinsertion of the cap 25, and the membrane 7 and inlay 4 will remainmoist and ready for the next application.

In the embodiment of the invention shown in FIG. 3, the dome 8 of FIG. 1is replaced by a perforated diaphragm 11 held in place by the innerclamping means 3 and adjacent to the inlay 4'. The membrane element 7 ofFIG. 3 is provided with a bulge 12 contacting the diaphragm 11.

In the embodiment of the invention shown in FIG. 4, the element 11 shownin FIG. 3 is omitted and the bulge 12" of the membrane 7" as compared toFIG. 3 is enlarged and makes contact with the top surface of an inlay 4"which surface has a concave configuration.

The inlay 4" in this modification, however, has different pore sizesthan the membrane 7". In accordance with a preferred embodiment, thepores of the inlay 4" are of smaller size than the pores of the membrane7". The reason for this difference in pore sizes assigned to the inlay4" and the membrane 7", respectively, is to facilitate the flowing ofthe liquid. The selection of pore size relations between the inlay 4 andthe membrane 7" will be made in accordance with the particular liquidemployed, to accommodate for the different surface tension and viscosityof the various liquids used. For instance, for high surface tensionliquids, the pores of the inlay 4" will need to be comparably small,while for liquids of lower surface tension the pores may be larger. Thepores of the membrane 7" will be larger in both instances, because dueto the aforesaid pumping action the cells of the foam will periodicallybe reduced by compression and subsequently be permitted to expandcreating a suction action.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 5, the inlay is omitted and the wall 5shown in FIG. I is provided with a concave surface 13 whereon rests themembrane-like element 7" which is provided with a bulge 12".

I wish it to be understood that I do not desire to be limited to theexact details of construction shown and described, for obviousmodifications will occur to a person skilled in the art.

Having thus described the invention, what I claim as new and desire tobe secured by Letters Patent, is as follows:

1. An applicator insert, for use in applying a liquid to the skin,adapted to be connected to a container holding said liquid and having aneck, said insert comprising a body member including a depending portionfitting said neck, a plurality of apertured superposed elementssupported from said body member and each being operable to pass saidliquid, at least one of said elements being composed of plastic foamresilient to compression action and being vaulted outwardly, each ofsaid elements differing from all of the other elements in the number ofapertures per area unit, and a flexible screen stretched over said oneelement sufiiciently tightly for pressing said element inwardly therebyinitially compressing said one element and reducing the :pore sizethereof.

2. An applicator insert as defined in claim 1, wherein said one elementhas an inwardly directed bulge.

3. An applicator insert according to claim 2, wherein another of saidelements forms a rigid transverse wall that has an outwardly concavesurface facing, and receiving, said bulge.

4. An applicator insert as defined in claim 1, wherein another of saidelements comprises an inlay of porous foam having an outwardly concaveoutside surface, said one element being made of porous plastic foamhaving a bulge received in the concavity formed by said concave outsidesurface, said elements differing from each other in pore size.

5. An applicator insert as defined in claim 1, wherein at least said oneelement is composed of plastic foam material of the group consisting ofpolyether and polyester.

6. An applicator insert according to claim 1, wherein said one elementis the outermost of the superposed elements and has an outside surface,said screen being adjacent said outside surface.

7. An applicator insert as defined in claim 6, one of said elementscomprising a perforated diaphragm-like reinforcement disposed inwardlyof the outermost element and being operable for taking up theapplication pressure exerted between said outermost element and theskin.

8. An applicator insert according to claim 7, another of said elementscomprising an inlay formed of plastic foam and being placed inwardly ofsaid reinforcement.

9. An applicator insert according to claim 7, wherein said reinforcementelement is made of a material taken from the group consisting ofpolyethylene, polypropylene, and vinyl.

10. An applicator insert according to claim 7, wherein the innermost ofthe superposed elements forms a rigid transverse wall, said outermostelement having an outside surface and an opposite inside surface, saidscreen being adjacent said outside surface, said reinforcement beingadjacent said inside surface, and another of said elements comprising aninlay formed of plastic foam and being disposed between saidreinforcement and said wall.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,933,893 11/1933 Clark 155652,853,727 9/1958 Nadi 15--565 2,853,728 9/1958 Nadi 15565 3,133,3095/1964 Miles 15565 3,266,079 8/1966 Schwartzman 15-569 FOREIGN PATENTS974,444 12/ 1960 Germany.

996,846 6/ 1965 Great Britain.

213,755 3/ 1941 Switzerland.

EDWARD L. ROBERTS, Primary Examiner.

